Abstract

Due to the current stringent regulations regarding emissions into the environment, coating recipes commonly used in leather finishing comprise water-based products. However, in order to obtain the physical properties required for most leather goods, the use of reactive cross-linkers is needed.

The present study aims to look into the behaviour of acrylic binders cross-linked with polyaziridine: the amount of cross-linker used, the type of polymer employed, the type of tannage and retannage and the evolution of the reaction over time.

A comparison of results shows that the type of tannage and retannage, as well as the physical characteristics of the acrylic binder used are influential factors in the behaviour of acrylic binders cross-linked with polyaziridine. Different amounts of polyaziridine are needed with regard to the type of tannage and retannage and to the physical characteristics of the acrylic binder used.